Carl Baker celebrates his goal, two years to the day his elder brother Mike died of leukaemia.

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COVENTRY City midfielder Carl Baker marked the second anniversary of his beloved brother’s death with goal to secure the Sky Blues’ first three points of the season.

The popular 28-year-old scored a spectacular volley against Derby County on an emotional day at the Ricoh Arena and immediately dedicated it to his older sibling Mike who lost his battle with leukaemia two years to the day, aged just 34.

Liverpudlian Baker had been with his mum Angela and family at the graveside on Saturday morning before driving down to play in the televised match which City won 2-0.

“It was a very emotional day for me and when I saw this fixture come out I knew it would be really tough,” said the player who wore a T-shirt paying tribute to his brother while warming up and immediately after the final whistle.

“I was at his grave back in Liverpool all morning with my mum and the rest of my other brothers and family, and before I left to go to the match my mum asked me to score a goal for Mike. So she put the pressure on me a bit to be honest, but thankfully I was in the right place at the right time and delivered.

“It’s really strange because when he passed away two years ago to the day, I went to Yeovil and scored a couple of goals there for Stockport, so it is nice to get on the scoresheet again because he must be looking down and doing it for me I suppose.

“My mum didn’t want to leave the grave and was sitting there all day.

“But she was listening out for the game and when she heard the score it gave her some comfort, which is just what she needed.

“I went back up to Liverpool on Saturday night and couldn’t wait to give her a big hug because I knew she would be so proud.”

The heaven-sent volley will no doubt be an early contender for the club’s end of year awards, but Baker revealed: “To be honest I can’t remember it. My mind went blank. My little lad told me what celebration to do and I still don’t know what I did.”

And the down to earth Scouser thanked his team-mates and club staff for their support and revealed the best result of the day – the fact that his youngest brother Dean has just been given the all-clear after his own three-year battle with leukaemia.

“He got it at the age of 16 and after three years of chemotherapy, bone marrow and everything possible he has just been given the best news in the world,” he said of the teenager, who is one of his biggest fans.

“So that’s been really tough and been a double blow for the family. We have said it is the rarest thing that can happen because it is not hereditary, so it has been a tough time but it has brought us much closer as a family and gives us all that little bit of belief to drive on and do well in life.

“Dean is 19 now and he missed all his GCSEs and stuff. A lad of that age should be going out with his mates, enjoying football and doing his exams and stuff but he couldn’t do any of that so it has been really hard for him.

“I take my hat off to him for staying strong through all the treatment he’s been through to pulled through.

“He comes to 99 per cent of the games but he was back at home with my mum this time. He has actually just had his first tattoo which he never thought he could get because leukaemia is a cancer of the blood, so it is a big milestone for him.

“He’s got a tribute to our Mike with a nice poem with his date of birth and date he passed away. He only got it on Friday and was delighted with that which is a big stepping stone for him.”